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The internet has brought many positive things to our lives, offering information, goods and services available at the touch of a button. But it also offers another way for fraudsters to approach victims.

Signs an email may be a scam

The internet has brought many positive things to our lives, offering information, goods and services available at the touch of a button. But it also offers another way for fraudsters to approach victims.

26/05/2017

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signs an email may be a scam

holly thomas

Many people get caught out by scam emails which seek to extract personal information from us in order to get at our money

Many people get caught out by scam emails which seek to extract personal information from us in order to get at our money

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Many people get caught out by scam emails which generally seek to extract personal information from us in order to get at our money. The more direct approach seeks cold hard cash.

The most common type of email scam is 'phishing'. This is an email from a fraudster masquerading as an organisation like your bank. They'll ask you to log on, confirm account details and passwords and then use these to plunder your account.

Be on your guard because if you lose money, it’s not guaranteed you’ll get it back.

Is it too good to be true?

Something that sounds too good to be true is most likely to be a scam.

For example, ignore any email claiming you've won a guaranteed prize. You'll have to pay a fee to claim your so-called winnings and may have to call a premium rate number and provide financial information.

You may also find offers to work from home in your inbox. If they promise lots of money for little work, these too are likely to be companies looking for you to make an investment towards supplies first – and then disappear into thin air.

Is it designed to worry you?

Some emails will look like they come from a trusted online shopping site, thanking you for your purchase - a purchase you didn't make, of course. In your panic to see what's been bought on your account, you click the link in the email, comprising your online security.

If you receive an email thanking you for a purchase you didn't make, close the email, open a new tab and type the site address into the browser directly, and then log into your account safely to see if any purchases have been made - odds are, they won't have been.

Does the email look professional?

Look out for spelling and grammar mistakes, as well as those who address you as 'Dear Client' or 'valued customer'.

Fraudsters can be clever and use dates, such as tax return deadlines, to mock up emails from HM Revenue & Customs, or the beginning of an academic year to target university students with fake messages purporting to be from the Student Loans Company.

Example of a scam email

Top tips

2. If you are not sure whether the email is genuine, or comes from a company you do not recognise, do not reply or click on any link as this will indicate to the sender that your email is live and make you a target for more emails.

3. If a spam email is from a legitimate UK based company, use the ‘unsubscribe’ link.

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The opinions expressed are those of the author and are not held by Saga unless specifically stated.

The material is for general information only and does not constitute investment, tax, legal, medical or other form of advice. You should not rely on this information to make (or refrain from making) any decisions. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation.